The Step Bionic is one of the affected models
Another manufacturer has recalled some of its via ferrata sets following a fatal accident this summer.
Mammut said the incident involved a rival brand but it has set up a voluntary recall of four of its models as a precaution.
Edelrid has already issued recall notices on some of its sets and the International Mountaineering Federation, the UIAA, has said all owners of via ferrata sets shoudl check they are safe.
Mammut said: “In August 2012, there was a fatal accident involving a via ferrata set from a competitor brand.
“As an immediate response, different testing institutes tested via ferrata sets according to tightened protection goals.
“These tests established that some karabiner arms made from elasticated webbings were far too weak. These products have already been recalled in summer.
“The Mammut sets that were tested verifiable showed much higher breaking strengths. There was no immediate danger to users as the Mammut products using this elastic arm construction were only introduced in spring 2012.
“Meanwhile, Mammut executed further tests and investigations and these showed that there is a very small residual safety risk after very long periods of very heavy usage over several seasons. The risk to safety only occurs if the product usage vastly exceeds the recommended usable lifetime.”
Details of recommended life of its via ferrata models are on the Mammut website.
However, the Swiss company said four models: Tec Step Bionic; Tec Step Classic; Tec Step Brenta Classic and Tec Step Bionic Turn, should be returned for modification.
Mammut said: “If you are in possession of one of the affected via ferrata sets, you have the opportunity to send these back to have the elasticated karabiner arms replaced. The webbing will be replaced with a construction that increases the security and eliminates the residual risk described above.”
The affected sets can be either returned to dealers or sent back to the Mammut service centre in Wolfertschwenden, Bavaria. Further details are on the Mammut website. The company said its other sets are not affected.
